A leading United States digital technology strategist has heralded the positive impact that a “Pacific century” could have on democracy and development in the region.

In an interview with Pacific Scoop’s Suze Metherell, Alec Ross, Senior Adviser on Innovation to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said governments in the region could benefit from the “connectedness of their citizens”

“There are two approaches governments can take,” he said.

“They can either fear their citizens’ connectivity and engagement, or they can embrace it.”

Ross is in Auckland for the Project [R]evolution digital media conference hosted by AUT University’s School of Communication Studies.

He spoke yesterday to more than 70 staff and students – especially those on the Asia-Pacific Journalism postgraduate course – and also addressed the conference.

Secretary of State Clinton is due in Rarotonga today for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting there.